Laluni celebrates 63rd anniversary
Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affair and RDC Region Four renews commitment to residents
A number of residents turned out in Laluni to celebrate their 63rd anniversary as a CDC community. Laluni came into being through the efforts of Wilfred Henry on 3rd March 1955. The 63rd anniversary also saw the residents celebrating their first ever village day. According to Chairman of the CDC, Aaron Defreitas this will be an annual event. He pointed out that the village day is being used primarily to bring villagers together, as a means of enhancing an already close-knit community.ffairs Sydney Allicock.
Defreitas further noted that Laluni, an agricultural community, will seek to further promote the many agricultural products that persons can access from the area. “Our village day is one that is being executed with a difference, as it allows a number of persons across Guyana to see the rich benefits of this agricultural community. In Laluni through the many products that come from this community, we can further enhance the economic development around us,” the Chairman said.
Representing Minister Allicock was Martin Chung, Special Assistant on Projects in the Ministry of the Indigenous Peoples Affairs. Chung told those gathered that his ministry felt privileged to be contributing to the staging of the anniversary celebrations.
“This is not only a historic occasion for the residents of Laluni but also for the rest of Guyana. It demonstrates what determination, hard work, commitment and unity can achieve. You the residents, can be very proud of the legacy that has been created by the founder of this community, in Mr. Henry and on behalf of the Minister, let me congratulate you on this significant milestone,” Chung said.
He added, “Let me also reassure you that the Ministry of Peoples’ Indigenous Affairs stands ready and prepared to lend whatever assistance that we can, as we have always been doing, to further enhance lives and those within your community. We as a ministry remain fully aware that you cannot do it alone, thus we are committed to playing our part.”
Regional Chairman of Region Four, Genevieve Allen, noted her pride in the fact that the residents not only observed the community’s 63rd anniversary but added the village day to the event. This, she stressed is an indication of the forward-thinking ability within the community noting that it augers well. “Let this occasion further motivate and stir your undying desires for unity and cohesive approach to issues of importance,” she told residents.
The Regional Chairman also commended them on what she described as an excellently constructed monument. Allen declared it a testimony of the value and importance that residents have placed on their former residents, and those who have played a pivotal role in the establishment of the community. She urged other communities to emanate the residents of Laluni Creek and declared that irrespective of a community’s size, determination, unity, love, hard work and a spirit of inclusiveness will create the platform for them to achieve anything.
“You are not a large community, you depend mostly on agriculture and you have numerous challenges, as its very expensive getting in and out of your community among other things. However, you are determined to further grow this community both in terms of residents and economics and for this, me and my region are very proud of what you are doing here. I, therefore, implore you to continue this trend and remain steadfast in your desires to further develop and enhance Laluni,” Allen said.
A monument was unveiled by Chung and Allen, while the community also raised its first village flag. According to Ruth Henry, great-granddaughter of the founder of Laluni, the flag’s design depicts the agricultural and other benefits of the community. She added that the motto, ‘Together we strive to make Laluni brighter” is ideal. Defreitas told those gathered that while not only is Ruth related to the founder Henry, she won the community flag design contest.
Defreitas reiterated that the flag would serve as a motivational reminder to residents of their significant achievements over the past 63 years. The CDC Chairman added that this is despite the challenges and difficulties that continue to be there, it is through their resolve of wanting development they will be able to further build on what they have achieved.